DORIS MAE CIESLEWITZ

Doris Mae Cieslewitz, of Bullville, NY, passed away Wednesday, October 24, 2012 after a long illness. She died at home, surrounded by her loving family and friends. She was 86.

Doris was born in Middletown, NY to the late Olive B. Lockwood and Addison Baker. Her father died when she was five years old and her mother later married George Hubbard of Winterton, NY, where Doris grew up, near her grandparents farm, "The Lockwood Homestead" on Winterton Road at the foothills of the Shawangunk Mountains, next to the Shawangunk Kill, that she loved so much. She attended the one room schoolhouse on Prosperous Valley Road and graduated from Middletown High School in 1945.

In 1942 she met John L. Cieslewitz Jr. of Bullville and they were married on October 22, 1946 at Mount Carmel Church, Middletown, NY. Together and with the help of their three children, they owned and operated a dairy farm, now called Alfa-Lad Farms, for 43 years, until they retired in 1989 when their son John took the business over.

A family statement reads: "Our mother was an angel on earth. She never complained and never had a cross word towards anyone. She was a very quiet and humble person, who was not impressed by money, but instead found wealth and pleasure in the simple things of life. She didn't care to travel, she loved her home and her family. She took nothing for granted, she appreciated everything, a beautiful sunny day, a visit from nieces and nephews and the kindness of friends. She taught us to show respect; always say Thank You and to call people "Mr." and "Mrs.", not refer to them by their first name." Doris was a devout Catholic and was a member of St. Paul's R.C. Church in Bullville, where she so enjoyed participating in the monthly senior luncheons until she was no longer able to, because of a stroke.

She is survived by her children: Betty Sutton and her partner, Bob Benjamin of Hedgesville, WV, Mary Ristau of Pine Bush, and her son, John, at home; cousins, Patricia Toohey of Danville, PA and Virginia Godwin and her husband, Bobby of Valdosta, GA; sisters-in-law: Grace Baker of Hawley, TX, Lucy Bastek of Middletown, Anna Dibble of Cadosia, NY and Sophie Schoonmaker of Westtown; brothers-in-law, Joseph Cieslewicz and his wife, Stacia of Stuart, FL and Stephen Cieslewicz of Middletown. In addition to her parents and step-father, she was predeceased by her husband of 59 years, John L. Cieslewitz Jr.; her brother, George Baker; half brothers, Sheldon and Kenneth Baker; stepbrother, David S. Hubbard and stepsisters: Dorothy Wanamaker, Ellen Daniels and Hazel White.

Friends are invited to call on Friday, October 26 from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at Morse Funeral Home Inc., 33 Railroad Ave., Middletown, NY. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, October 27 at 9:30 a.m. at St. Paul's Roman Catholic Church, Rt 17K, Bullville, NY. Burial will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery in Middletown.

Contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, Hospice of Orange and Sullivan Counties, or to St. Paul's RC Church.

The family wishes to extend sincere thanks to all who cared for or visited our mother during her illness - especially Robin Vazquez of Wellcare and deacon John Frohbose of St. Paul's, who visited faithfully on Sundays.

Arrangements are under the care of Morse Funeral Home Inc., Middletown, NY 845-343-6918 www.morsefuneralhome.com